Advice on getting started ohn a small project.

Ghandee

Hi.

Just after a bit of advice on a small project I've been contemplating about for a while now.

Lately, I have been considering offering computer lessons to people in my area (older generation, non techie types etc).
I propose maybe going to them, at their place, so it would be using their equipment (I find folk who learn on their on pcs do better, due to familiarity
During the lessons, I could show them various things they would like to learn, ie email, attach pics, photos etc to email, excel, facebook, how to burn cds, word processing, use printers, etc etc etc.

Firstly, how would one go about starting this up (leaflets in shop/small ads etc)
Secondly, do you think their is a market for this?
Lastly, assuming this would be a viable project, what would be a reasonable rate people would be prepared to pay for an hourly rate for these services?

Thanks in advance

Aureli

Hi I'd say there is a market, I work with some oldish people 55+ and most of them have done ECDL and said they just find it too hard and that they can't keep up. I've often brought my lap top into them to show them things as they were to embrassed to ask in class. I think they would definatly benefit from some one on one traing, even as a pre ECDL course. only problem is most of them dont have a computer at home.

Ghandee

Got my first customers!!!!

:D:D

gavney1

good to hear!

would have said there's a good market

Both my parents are in their late 60s and I'd say they'd definitely be interested. With them though I think you could overload them with excel.

Email/ Google/ Facebook - I'd focus on those three things.

Ghandee

gavney1 wrote: »

good to hear!

would have said there's a good market

Both my parents are in their late 60s and I'd say they'd definitely be interested. With them though I think you could overload them with excel.

Email/ Google/ Facebook - I'd focus on those three things.

Any idea on my hourly rates?

way2tall

Hi Gucky..

I've been looking at something similar to this .. more of a knowledge management/harvesting website.. Anyway the business model that might work .. would be the lead generation approach ..

i.e. quite a small initial charge to encourage people to sign up - 10 to 20 maybe to cover you costs .. and then once you build up trust with your clients .. you might find that they come back for additional help and that this could be charged by the hour

Just a suggestion ..

ToxicPaddy

I have done this with a few people and completely agree with doing the teaching in the persons home.

A good idea is to do up some documentation for them so they can refresh their memory with a quick read if they forget something..

Stick with the basics, email, internet usage, uploading photos etc..

Hourly rates I've seen around vary from €30 to €50 per hour, but if a person is retired, they may have a limited income to take that into consideration too.


On another note, my parents did a 10 week course in a local community college last year and it was aimed at the over 55's.. they loved it and didnt feel insecure or embarrassed about it at all as everyone there was in their age bracket.

The guy who thought it spent the first 8 weeks doing the basics and then when they were comfortable with everything he asked the class to suggest ideas for what they wanted to cover in the last 2 weeks..

Suggestions such a booking flights and hotels online were popular as were uploading photos and putting music on iPods.. (very tech savy pensioners there!!!)

That could be another option too, it was a social thing too, each class was 3 hours long and they had their 20 minute tea and biscuit break in between.. so they made some friends out of it too.. now they are both using their PC without any issues whatsoever.. its great to see..

Tox

Ghandee

Thanks for the advice folks.
At the min, its purely being done as a side earner, no way I could retire by doing it.
All the same though, Rome wasn't built in a day!